7-month strike ends at Azteca

Workers return

talks to continue

Workers at Azteca Foods have ended a seven-month strike that pitted Mexican immigrants against one of the city's most prominent Hispanic businessmen.

Nearly all of the 63 striking workers are back on the job at the Southwest Side tortilla factory, company and union officials said Wednesday.

Workers based their strike on complaints of unfair labor practices, including the videotaping and intimidation of union leaders. At the same time, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers hoped to use the leverage of a walkout to secure higher wages, better health-care benefits and more favorable rules on overtime.

Once Azteca reached a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board on the labor complaints, workers were obligated to return to work.

Even though union officials have not achieved the wage or benefit concessions they had sought, they hope the strike will allow employees to continue contract negotiations from a position of strength.

"The strike was about making the company understand that these workers have power, that they will be union for life," said organizer Leah Fried.

Union officials pulled out all the stops against Azteca President Art Velasquez, a well-known philanthropist and civic leader. Workers even picketed the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum because the Pilsen institution relies on support from Velasquez.

Two congressmen offered support for the union workers and offered to mediate contract talks between Velasquez and the union. Azteca was forced to hire temporary workers to keep production close to normal levels.

Both sides said they hope contract talks can continue without the acrimony of the strike.

"There will be some strained feelings, no doubt about it. I think it's unfortunate," Velasquez said. "But we have to rise above that."

Eduviges Martinez of Cicero works at the factory and said she also hopes workers and management can establish a good relationship. She said her supervisors have treated workers better since their return to work.